« Recipes Home

Maryland Blue Crab File (Okra Gumbo)

• ½ cup flour
• ½ cup cooking oil
• 2 cups chopped okra (1 16-ounce can)
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 4 tablespoons file powder
• 3 cups lump crab meat
• ½ cup chopped celery
• 2 tablespoons salt
• ½ cup chopped green pepper
• ½ cup chopped green onion

Combine cooking oil and flour in heavy skillet over medium flame, stirring constantly until flour is dark brown in color. Set aside.

Sauté slowly 2 cups okra, bell peppers, green onions, celery and crab meat. Combine these ingredients and browned flour into large 4 to 6 quart pot. Add 2 quarts water, salt, pepper and file. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes. Serve immediately.